Manager, Research and Policy

Reason for posting: Backfill
Division: Public Affairs, Member Services & Communications
City: Ottawa, ON
Type of position: Hybrid
Job Term: Permanent Full-time (35 hours per week)
Eligibility: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or residents legally eligible to work in Canada for the full duration of the assignment.
Union/Non: Excluded
Competition: 26-45

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), a national union representing over 80,000 professionals and scientists across Canada, is seeking a Manager, Research and Policy to join our team at our National Office in Ottawa.

PIPSC/IPFPC is committed to building an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought – and of people – are recognized, valued, and considered essential to achieving our goals and objectives. We are making concerted efforts to foster a workforce that is representative of our diverse membership. We strive to create a work environment that is welcoming to everyone regardless of their gender, age, religion, race, ethnicity, and nationality, particularly equity deserving groups, such as members of the IBPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with disabilities.

All qualified candidates will be considered; however, in support of achieving a diversified workforce we encourage applications for this opportunity from candidates belonging to one of the employment equity groups: Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis or Inuit), peoples of colour or persons with a disability. Consideration will be given to a qualified candidate who, at the time of application, voluntarily indicates being part of these groups.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Under the direction of the Director, Public Affairs, Member Services & Communications, the Manager, Research & Policy leads the day-to-day operations of the Research & Policy function and manages a multidisciplinary team of research and economic professionals. The Manager is responsible for people leadership, work planning and prioritization, resource allocation, budgets, performance management, and the quality and timely delivery of research and policy work.

The Manager provides leadership and oversight for policy and bargaining research, data and insights, and economic analysis to support the Institute’s collective bargaining, labour relations, public policy and organizational priorities. The position works collaboratively across the organization to ensure research and policy activities are coordinated and informed by reliable data and sound analysis.

Primary responsibilities:

• Manage employees within the Research & Policy function by assigning work, establishing priorities and expectations, monitoring workload and performance, and ensuring the effective and timely delivery of work.
• Provide people leadership, coaching and support to employees; manage performance, attendance, probation, employee development and other employment matters in accordance with Institute policies and applicable collective agreements.
• Lead annual and operational work planning for the Research & Policy function, establishing priorities and allocating resources in alignment with departmental and organizational objectives.
• Oversee the development and delivery of the Institute’s research and policy agenda, including research supporting collective bargaining, labour relations, public policy, advocacy, member engagement and other organizational priorities.
• Provide direction and oversight for the production of research reports, policy papers, briefing materials, environmental scans, surveys, data analysis and other research and policy products.
• Establish expectations for the quality, consistency and timely delivery of research and policy work and support appropriate research, survey, data and quality assurance practices across the function.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Director and other internal stakeholders on emerging public policy, labour relations, socio-economic and other issues affecting the Institute and its members.
• Oversee research projects and policy initiatives, including work assignment, priorities, timelines, resource requirements and deliverables. Work with Senior Research Officers to support project coordination, technical guidance and quality within assigned research portfolios, and with the Senior Economist on matters requiring specialized economic, compensation and fiscal expertise.
• Oversee the development and use of member surveys, opinion research, data analysis and qualitative and quantitative research to support evidence-based decision-making and organizational priorities.
• Monitor significant developments in legislation, public policy, labour relations and the broader socio-economic environment and ensure relevant implications, risks and opportunities are identified and communicated.
• Ensure effective coordination between research and policy work and the needs of collective bargaining, representation, communications, government relations, organizing, member engagement and other Institute functions.
• Manage the Research & Policy budget, develop and recommend budgetary and expenditure requirements, approve expenditures within delegated authority, and monitor the effective use of financial and other resources.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and relevant government, academic, labour, research and other external organizations to support the work of the Institute.
• Review and contribute to reports, presentations, briefing materials, consultation submissions and other documentation on research and policy matters, as required.
• Represent the Research & Policy function on internal committees, working groups and organizational initiatives and represent the Institute externally, as assigned.
• Support knowledge sharing and professional development within the Research & Policy function and promote effective research, analytical and data practices.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams assigned to special projects and work collaboratively with employees in other sections.
• May be requested to undertake other related duties on a periodic basis.

Knowledge and Experience Requirements

Education / Experience:

• An advanced university degree in economics, public policy, political science, labour studies or a related discipline; AND
• More than seven (7) years of progressive and related experience in research, policy development or strategic analysis, including a minimum of three (3) years of direct people management experience with responsibility for work assignment, performance management, coaching and employee development; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language requirement:

• Fluency in both French and English is an asset
• English is required

Skills and experience required:

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with demonstrated ability to provide clear direction, establish expectations, manage performance, coach and develop professional staff, and address workplace issues effectively.
• Strong knowledge of research, public policy, collective bargaining and labour relations, including qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Ability to establish priorities, assign and coordinate work, manage competing demands, and ensure accountability for quality and timely delivery.
• Ability to analyze complex information and provide clear, evidence-based advice and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Strong planning, project management and resource management skills, including budget management.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate across organizational functions.

Compensation Package

Salary Range: $136,379 to $170,473 (G9)
Group Benefits: Health, Dental, life Insurance and disability Insurance
Pension Plan: Defined Benefits
Vacation: 4 weeks per year, plus other generous paid leave
Paid Time Off: December 27th to 31st

How to apply

You are invited to visit our Career Centre to submit your application. Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. (EST) on October 9, 2026.

Submit a cover letter and resume tailored to the qualifications outlined in the job posting. Your documents should include specific examples that clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of this position, as your application will be evaluated based solely on the information provided.

If you require accommodation for a disability during the recruitment process, please contact us with your details. Our Staffing team will respond within 48 hours, and all information related to accommodation requests will be handled confidentially.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, psychologically safe, harassment-free, and accessible work environment, starting from the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.